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Ex-GOP official accused of 6 felonies in Florida

By the CNN Wire Staff

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Jim Greer chaired Florida GOP from 2007 until February

He allegedly steered GOP cash to his own company

Greer was arrested, jailed Wednesday

Miami, Florida (CNN) -- Former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer was charged Wednesday with six felony counts for allegedly directing state party funds to his consulting company, which then paid him.

Greer, 47, faces one count of organized fraud, four counts of grand theft and one count of money laundering, prosecutor Bill Shepherd said Wednesday.

The former GOP chairman, who was arrested at his home in Oviedo, Florida, is being held at the John Polk Correctional Facility in Sanford, Shepherd said.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, a political ally, appointed Greer as state chairman in 2007. Greer left the post in February after a chorus of state Republican leaders and donors raised questions about his leadership and management of party funds.

Crist, asked about the arrest during a news conference about the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, said it was "obviously disappointing and surprising."

"I have faith in our judicial system," Crist said. "I know they will handle it appropriately."

Prosecutors accused Greer of steering $199,254 in state party money to Victory Strategies, a company he set up with former state Republican Party Executive Director Delmar Johnson.

Victory Strategies, which paid Greer $125,161, was given "a large amount for services that were never performed" by the company, prosecutors alleged.